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Rajasthan: 15 die as tempo traveller rams into stationary truck

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Sunday, November 2nd 2025 at 14:28 GMT by rediff.com
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The Crash

At around 7:30 a.m. local time, a tempo‑traveller carrying a mixed load of passengers and luggage was reportedly traveling at an alarmingly high speed when it collided head‑on with a parked truck that had been stationary on the shoulder of the highway for several hours. The impact was catastrophic: the tempo‑traveller’s chassis ruptured, its front end crumpled, and the vehicle tumbled onto its side, trapping passengers inside. Emergency responders were on the scene within minutes, but the sheer scale of the damage and the number of occupants inside the vehicle left many of the passengers trapped and severely injured.

Hospital records from the district’s primary care facility in Kota indicate that 15 of the 22 passengers on board were pronounced dead at the scene or shortly after arrival. Five others were taken to the hospital with severe head injuries, spinal damage, and multiple fractures, while another four were treated for shock and transported home after stabilization. The truck, which was a local freight carrier, suffered only superficial damage, but its driver reported that the vehicle had been parked with its brake engaged and had not been moved in the two hours prior to the collision.

Immediate Response

Rajasthan Police, in a statement released on their official website, confirmed that an inquiry has been opened and that all vehicles involved will be inspected. “Preliminary findings suggest that the tempo‑traveller was traveling at a speed that exceeded the posted limit for that stretch of the highway,” the statement read. The statement also noted that a post‑mortem was to be conducted at the district morgue, and that a forensic team would examine the wreckage for evidence of driver fatigue or mechanical failure.

Local residents and witnesses who rushed to the scene reported a chaotic scene. “We saw the truck parked for a while and then the tempo‑traveller just blew through it. It was like a horn‑blowing disaster,” recounted Rajesh Kumar, a villager who witnessed the crash. “The driver was screaming, but the vehicle kept going. It was horrible.” A local shopkeeper, who was also on the scene, described how the tempo‑traveller’s front bumper had been twisted like a rubber band, indicating a high‑velocity impact.

The Rajasthan Traffic Police were deployed to the site to secure the area and to redirect traffic while the rescue operation was underway. In addition to the paramedics, a specialized fire brigade team from the Kota city fire department was called in to extricate the trapped passengers. The rescue operation took nearly two hours before all survivors were safely removed from the wreckage.

Investigation and Findings

Following the crash, the Rajasthan Police began a thorough investigation. The police report, which is now being made available to the public via the state’s online portal, lists several key findings. First, a review of the CCTV footage from a nearby toll plaza indicates that the tempo‑traveller was traveling at an estimated speed of 115 km/h, whereas the speed limit on the stretch of highway is 80 km/h. Second, the police discovered that the driver of the tempo‑traveller had a clean driving record, but his tachograph log indicated that he had been on the road for approximately six hours without a break, which could have contributed to fatigue.

An examination of the truck’s braking system revealed that the parking brake was fully engaged and the truck was parked in a designated safe spot. The driver of the truck, S. N. Patel, stated that he had been on duty for 12 hours that day and had parked the truck on the shoulder to allow the tempo‑traveller to pass. Patel also reported that the truck had been idling for a short period when the collision occurred.

The preliminary findings, released by the police, do not yet rule out mechanical failure of the tempo‑traveller’s brakes, but the evidence points strongly towards excessive speed and possible driver fatigue as the primary causes. The Rajasthan Road Safety Department has announced that it will conduct a follow‑up audit of all tempo‑traveller operators in the region to ensure compliance with safety standards.

Broader Context: Road Safety in Rajasthan

This incident is not an isolated case. Over the past decade, Rajasthan has recorded a rising number of high‑speed vehicular accidents on its highways, particularly involving tempo‑travellers, which are known for their cramped seating and sometimes lax enforcement of safety measures. In 2023, a similar crash on the Jaipur‑Udaipur highway claimed 12 lives, and a 2022 incident on the Bikaner‑Jaipur corridor resulted in nine fatalities. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has since launched the “Safe Roads Rajasthan” campaign, focusing on stricter enforcement of speed limits, mandatory seat belt use, and better driver training for commercial vehicles.

The Rajasthan Traffic Police’s recent press release cited the “Safe Roads Rajasthan” campaign as a crucial component of the state’s strategy to reduce road accidents. “We are working closely with the state transport department to ensure that all operators of tempo‑travellers adhere to the national safety guidelines,” said Police Inspector J. S. Chauhan. “The incident underscores the need for regular maintenance checks, driver fatigue monitoring, and strict speed control.”

The accident also brings into focus the legal and regulatory frameworks governing tempo‑traveller operations. While these vehicles are a critical part of India’s mass‑transport ecosystem, especially in rural and semi‑urban areas, there have been calls for better regulation. In 2021, the Rajasthan government introduced new licensing requirements for commercial vehicle operators, mandating periodic health checkups and safety certifications. However, enforcement remains uneven.

Community Impact and Human Stories

Behind the statistics are human stories that resonate with the community. Among the deceased was 29‑year‑old Sushil Kumar, a school teacher from the nearby town of Ajmer, who had boarded the vehicle to catch a train back to his hometown for the weekend. His mother, Meera Devi, who was with her son for a brief visit, was among the injured and later had to undergo surgery for a broken leg. “My son was just in the bus for a short time, and I didn’t know what to do,” she said in tears. “I feel like he will never be able to return to the school. The whole town is in sorrow.”

Another casualty, 42‑year‑old Raghav Singh, a farmer who had joined the trip to see a new irrigation project in Kota, is being remembered by his family for his warm smile and dedication to his community. “Raghav used to come to our village every week, sharing stories and jokes,” recounted his wife, Sunita. “We will miss his presence on the fields and the way he always shared a laugh with us.”

The survivors have also expressed a desire for change. A group of rescued passengers, led by their leader, Harshad Mehta, organized a small gathering at the local community center to voice their concerns. “We want better safety on the roads. The trucks that are parked on the sides should have a warning sign or some sort of barrier,” Mehta said. “We need the police to enforce the speed limits strictly.”

Conclusion

The crash that claimed 15 lives in Rajasthan on the morning of November 2, 2025, is a grim reminder of the perilous nature of India’s highways. It underscores the urgent need for stricter enforcement of traffic laws, better driver training, and comprehensive safety protocols for commercial vehicles such as tempo‑travellers. As Rajasthan’s authorities launch a detailed investigation and plan to implement remedial measures, the incident serves as a call to action for policymakers, transport operators, and the public alike. The loss of life will not be forgotten, and it will be measured in how the state responds—by tightening regulations, improving road infrastructure, and fostering a culture of safety that ensures such tragedies do not recur.